This DIY bookshelf project has a nice rustic, modern look and is easily created from angle irons and 2x10s.

SUPPLIES:

Two 2x10 (8' long)
Available at Home Depot
I bought two 8 foot long premium fir 2x10s from Home Depot. I had them cut at the store into 4 foot lengths to make them easier to transport. The 2x10s I used were a bit warped but had a nice looking grain and color.

36" Long 1 1/2" Square Fir Balusters
Available at Home Depot
These square balusters are straight, smooth and easy to work with.

1 1/2" Angle Irons (36" long)
Available at the Home Depot
I purchased four 36" long 1 1/2" angle irons to use as the vertical supports.

TOOLS:

This project can be made with hand tools...



RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill
Available at Home Depot











RYOBI 18 Volt Circular Saw (with Plywood Blade)
Available at Home Depot








...but is easier with bench top tools:



RYOBI 10" Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
Available at Home Depot










RYOBI 10" Drill Press with Exactline™ Laser System
Available at Home Depot

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Lay Out the Design + Mark the Hole Locations
You can make this piece with either 3 or 4 shelves. I chose to do a 4 shelf layout, 4 feet long. Mark the desired locations for your shelves and place an X to mark the place where you will drill through the steel.



STEP 2: Drill Through the Steel
Drilling steel is a little different than wood. Make sure you are using drill bits that are meant for steel and check your drill for the appropriate speed settings. Firmly clamp and secure your steel to a work surface when drilling. A lubricating oil should also be used. I didn't have any on-hand, so I used WD40, which was not ideal, but better than nothing. Drill a single hole that will align with the center of each 2x10 shelf on the front facing sides of the angle irons. Drill 2 holes on the other side for nails that will go into the end of the 2x10 and the sides of the baluster supports.











STEP 3: Trim the 2x10s
It's critical that the 2x10 shelves are the same length. I used a benchtop chop saw to make nice accurate square cuts. You can do this with a hand held circular saw, but I would recommend using a speed square clamped on as a guide to ensure the cuts are square.





STEP 4: Cut the Balusters into Supports
Cut the fir balusters into supports with a length equal to the width of the 2x10s.





STEP 5: Sand the 2x10s
Use an orbital sander to sand the 2x10s and supports with 220 grit sandpaper.





STEP 6: Screw the Supports onto the Shelves
Use 2" screws to screw the supports to the underside of the shelves.





STEP 7: Round the Corners of the Shelves
The inside corners of an angle iron are not perfectly square and have a bit of a radius. Sand the corner edges of the shelves so that they fit nicely into the angle irons.





STEP 8: Nail the Back Angle Irons to the Shelves
Lay out the back angle irons on the floor and place the shelves in their appropriate locations. Starting from the bottom shelf, start nailing in one nail through the sides of the angle irons and into the ends of the shelves. Make sure the top shelf is flush with the top of the angle irons.





STEP 9: Nail on the Front Angle Irons
Place the front angle irons on the shelves. Start with the bottom shelf, making sure it's properly aligned and then drive nails through the angle irons and into the wood. Next, align the top shelf and fasten it with nails. You may need to use a clamp or a second set of hands to wrestle the wood into to place. Nail the other 2 shelves and then stand the whole thing up.





STEP 10: Drive Nails Through the Remaining Holes + Rub a Coat of Danish Oil into the Wood to Finish



 Disclaimer: 
2x10s are affordable and look great, but can be a bit warped. This set of shelves is sturdy and functional but not perfectly square.















Good luck making your own ironbound bookcase and please email, tweet or hashtag photos to @benuyeda, ben@homemade-modern.com or #homemademodern. For more detailed instructions, dimensioned drawings and different variations of the project, check out our soon-to-be-released book.

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